The Crunch fitness franchise is rapidly expanding in the U.S. and abroad, and has become the fastest-growing franchise in its category. The company, which debuted in New York in 1989, plans to open 50 new gyms in 2014, starting with eight locations this month. “We took the franchise model, packaged it into the low-price, high-value segment of the fitness market … and so far it’s been very very well received,” Crunch President Ben Midgley said.